the behaviorist approach

Question 1

3 features of science? Define them.

Answer 1

Objectivity - Not biased
Replicability - Can be repeated with same results
Falsifiability - Proving things wrong

Question 2

Behavourists believe we are born…This means that all behaviour is learnt from…Behavourists are only interested in behaviour that is…It is NOT concerned with…?

Answer 2

Blank slates…the environment…observable…mental processes.

Question 3

Behavourists use scientific methods such as? 5 features of this.

Answer 3

Lab experiments: highly controlled, allow for objectivity and replication, isolate variables, establish cause and effect.

Question 4

What is operant conditioning? What are the 3 types of this?

Answer 4

Learning through consequence.
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment.

Question 5

Define positive reinforcement +e.g.

Answer 5

Receiving a REWARD when a certain behaviour is performed. Increases likelihood behaviour will be repeated. E.g. Getting PARS points for showing good behaviour.

Question 6

Define negative reinforcement +e.g.

Answer 6

Performing a behaviour to AVOID something unpleasant. Increases the likelihood behaviour will be repeated. E.g. Doing your hw to avoid detention.

Question 7

Define punishment +e.g.

Answer 7

An unpleasant CONSEQUENCE for behaviour. Decreases the likelihood behaviour will be repeated. E.g. Receiving detention for not doing your homework

Question 8

First point for a PET paragraph on behavourism and science.

Answer 8

P: The behaviourist approach has scientific credibility and has contributed to the development of psychology as a science.

Question 9

Outline the procedure of Skinner’s rats.

Answer 9

-Rat would move around the cage
-When it pressed the lever (by accident) it would be rewarded by food
-Rat would learn, through PR, that each time it pressed the lever>it would be rewarded by food
-Therefore learnt a new voluntary behaviour, which is repeated, to see the reward again

Question 10

What is meant by a stimulus-response (S-R) bond? What does this lead to?

Answer 10

Given stimulus always tends to produce a given response>learning is possible.

Question 11

What does the ABC of reinforcement stand for? Relate these to Skinner’s rats.

Answer 11

-Antecedent (something before or after?) -Accidentally lifts the lever.
-Behaviour - Keeps lifting the lever.
-Consequense - Rat gets food.

Question 12

How would the rat show the 3 operant conditioning’s?

Answer 12

PR - Pressing the lever>food.
NR - Pressing the lever to avoid electric shock.
P - Not pressing the lever>electric shock.

Question 13

PET paragraph on the ethical and practical issues of Skinner’s rats.

Answer 13

P: There are practical and ethical issues in animal studies.
E: Practical - Humans have more complex thoughts and emotions, can’t EXTRAPOLATE (humans aren’t the same to animals) the results the explain human’s behaviour.
T: Skinner’s experiment can’t be generalised to human behaviour.

Question 14

What is classical conditioning? Developed by who?

Answer 14

Learning through association. (Developed by Pavlov).

Question 15

What did Pavlov show?

Answer 15

Dogs could be conditioned to salivate, at the sound of a bell, if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time they were given food.

Question 16

How were Pavlov’s dogs conditioned?

Answer 16

To associate the sound of a bell (NEUTRAL STIMULUS) with food (UNCONDITIONED STIMULUS). This resulted in the dogs producing a salivation response (CONDITIONED RESPONSE) at the sound of the bell (CONDITIONED STIMULUS), even when there was no food present.

Question 17

What did Pavlov demonstate about “variable schedule of reinforcement”? (3)

Answer 17

-Repeated exposure to an event>learned and uncontrollable behaviour.
-Can be used to explain developing phobias and attachment.
-Overall, strengthens behaviours as they may forget the first time.

Question 18

What is the real-life application of this approach? (3)

Answer 18

-Psychologists have a better understanding of phobias.
-Token economics (operant conditioning). Tokens act as rewards for good behaviour and can be used to “purchase” something desired. E.g. in prisons, mental health units.
-Aversion therapy (classical conditioning), treats addiction. Drugs, alcohol or behaviour becomes associated with pleasure. Changes the association and replaces pleasure with a pleasant state.

Question 19

Point for PET paragraph on a strength of this approach.

Answer 19

Behaviourist approach has had a great contribution to society, as the principles of conditioning have been applied to many real world settings.

Question 20

Point for PET paragraph on a limitation of this approach.

Answer 20

Behaviourist approach ignores emotional and cognitive factors that influence behaviour.

Question 21

How does this approach show environmental determinism?

Answer 21

Behaviour is controlled by conditioning.

Question 22

How does this approach show environmental reductionism?

Answer 22

States that all behaviour can be understood by simple, stimulus-response bonds.

Question 23

What 3 debates does this approach lie on?

Answer 23

Nurture, determinism, reductionism.